Sunday, October 18th, 2009

MTB: Pre-Fall Circus Henry Coe B Ride

Oh, another weekend when Erik had to work (cliche by now). Not sure if we could join the MTBR Henry Coe Fall Circus ride next weekend, I got curious to check out their B ride. And Derek wanted to ride too. Great! When we were in the parking lot, Charlie and Roy pulled in and Charlie decided to join our ride. Perfect! And Roy stayed with us until when we hit Rock Tower. Even Better!

Here is Charlie’s route rundown of the route (Miles = 23.74 / Footies = 4,593’):

Start at Hunting Hollow » Gilroy Hot Springs Road » Coit Road » Anza Trail » Jackson Trail » Elderberry Spring Trail (lower) » Rock Tower Trail » Elderberry Spring Trail (upper) » Jackson Road » Wasno Road » Kelly Lake Trail » Coit Road » Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail » Cross Canyon Trail » Coit Springs Trail » Cattle Duster Trail » Domino Pond Trail » Wasno Road » Dexter Trail » Grizzly Gulch Trail » Serpentine Trail » Steer Ridge Road » Middle Steer Ridge Trail » Hunting Hollow Road » Hunting Hollow parking

Because it rained hard early last week, I expected the trails in prime condition. After riding them, I’m not sure if my expectation had been met. The trail surface was sticky, but at a lot of places, the trails and fire roads were severely rutted such as parts of Jackson Road, Kelly Lake Trail, and Serpentine. I would not want to climb Kelly Lake Trail in the current condition.

Derek and I accidentally (hehehe) got on a side trail in parallel to Dexter and it was an adventure. Derek said it was the highlight of the day for him. I took a conservative approach on it, but already wanted to go back soon. I knew Erik would be envious when I tell him about my adventure.

It was also my first time riding down Middle Steer Ridge. All that anxiety from hearing how steep the trail was went away with the wind I left behind me when I shot (for lack of a better word) down the ridge, and I felt in control! That made it such a joy ride. Erik would be envious about that too.

Charlie posted some nice photos from this ride. Mine can’t compete, but I’ve uploaded them to the gallery anyway. Here are a few of mine.

We saw some of these things up on trees and some on the ground. Charlie told me I should take a little piece of it home and show it to Erik while holding it above my head. I did, and Erik laughed before giving me a kiss. Interesting… (For other culturally challenged people like me, this wiki page explains the weird behavior of Erik.)

It’s quite unusual for Derek to get his bike wet, but I think he just liked to ride down that steep switchback on Kelly Cabin Canyon Trail.

One of the nice things about riding with Charlie is he points out the wonders of nature. Here is one of them — a natural food stash? If you look closely, you can see that each hole has an acorn in it.

Charlie doing trail work.

A historical moment for Charlie and I had the honor to document it.

Here is my ride and I like its shape:

4 Responses

  1. # Patrick Herlihyon 20 Oct 2009 at 11:40 am

    I wish I could have made this.. thanks for the invite.. next time 🙂

    I had no idea you had never descended Middle Steer Ridge before – no wonder you were ok going down Bowl/Lymann-Wilson when we climbed Serpentine last time. Middle Steer Ridge is the big payoff for climbing Serpentine!

    I forgot HCFC is next week so no Soda Springs LKHC. Hope we see you and Erik (and Derek) there!

  2. # mudwormon 20 Oct 2009 at 12:13 pm

    It doesn’t look like we can make it to HCFC. (Glad that I pre-rode it.) Yeah, Middle Steer was fun. I guess I was both anxious and curious about it. I would have saved the joy ride for a ride that I do with Erik because he hasn’t done it either, but since I was doing the B ride, I just had to do it without him. Can’t wait to get back! Have super fun at HCFC!

  3. # Patrick Herlihyon 20 Oct 2009 at 12:24 pm

    Wow.. rock climbing must be a lot of fun to miss HCFC AND LKHC 🙂

    I can’t decide on A ride or B ride. I love the challenge of trying to keep up with the A riders but I always enjoy riding with Charlie, and the B route sounds fun. I guess I’ll make a decision when I get there 🙂

    I read how the LKHC team scores work and I’d like to take you up on your offer to ride under the Mud’N’Crud banner since I can only help the team, not harm it!

  4. # mudwormon 20 Oct 2009 at 12:28 pm

    Some public service duty call. It’s like removing down trees on trails. There are some dead hanging old ropes (eyesore) on some cliffs that need to be removed. Erik has been wanting to do it for a while and this is almost the first weekend he can get out.

    Anyone who doesn’t mind a little mud is welcome to Mud ‘n Crud Team!